Opportunity Information: Apply for F22AS00011
The Multistate Conservation Grant (MSCG) Program is a competitive grant opportunity run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the Service) in close partnership with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA). It is designed to fund projects that tackle conservation and participation challenges that are regional or national in scope, meaning they go beyond what a single state fish and wildlife agency could reasonably address on its own. The program is structured around two closely related tracks that operate in much the same way: the Traditional Multistate Conservation Grant Program (T-MSCGP) and the Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation Multistate Conservation Grant Program (R3-MSCGP). In both cases, AFWA helps coordinate priorities and review by providing the Service with a ranked list of high-priority projects, while the Service administers the grants and manages the awards. Projects that are selected and funded are published each year in the Federal Register, and past award lists are also available through AFWA and the Service.
A key feature of MSCG is that proposals have to align with AFWA Strategic Priorities that are selected annually. These priorities function as the program’s roadmap: they reflect what state fish and wildlife agencies (including commonwealths and territories) consider to be the most pressing multistate conservation needs under the Traditional program, or the most important national participation needs under the R3 program. Applications are shared with the AFWA National Grants Committee (NGC), which reviews and ranks eligible proposals to inform the final selection process. In practice, this means an applicant cannot just propose a worthwhile conservation project in the abstract; the project must clearly fit within one or more of the currently selected priority areas and show multistate relevance.
The two funding tracks differ mainly in what the money can be used for. Under the Traditional MSCG program (T-MSCGP), grant funds can support a broad range of sport fish and wildlife management purposes consistent with the enabling legislation. Examples called out include research, boating access development, hunter safety and education, aquatic education, fish and wildlife habitat improvements, and similar efforts tied to fisheries and wildlife conservation and management. By contrast, the R3 MSCG program (R3-MSCGP) is much narrower: funds may only be used to design or implement hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment initiatives that advance a national hunting and shooting sports recruitment program, including communication and outreach that directly supports those recruitment goals. The R3 category was developed in response to the Pittman-Robertson Modernization Act and is described as including up to an additional $5 million for R3 projects focused specifically on hunting and shooting sports; the announcement also notes that some R3-style projects aimed at fishing participation may be considered under the broader Traditional program using Sport Fish Restoration funding, depending on availability.
For FY 2022, AFWA’s Strategic Priorities for MSCG funding were organized into several major buckets. The Conservation and Science category includes large landscape systems and species work, climate-related efforts, wildlife disease (including “One Health” connections to human health), data initiatives, human dimensions and social science, and invasive species. Relevancy, Inclusion, and Participation priorities emphasize broader public engagement in conservation, communications that advance regional or national conservation efforts, and implementing or expanding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts both internally and externally. Another set of priorities targets coordination and capacity building for fish and wildlife agencies, including leadership development, conservation education, coordination of international/national/regional conservation policies and efforts, and integration of law enforcement. Trust Fund Stewardship priorities include research that supports conservation efforts, education and promotion of the North American Model of Conservation (referred to as “legal strategy” in the text), and conservation law education. There are also AFWA-specific priorities tied to AFWA funding principles, such as management assistance teams, management of the MSCG program itself, CITES and international conservation programs affecting state agencies, and national-scale coordination.
Within the R3-focused Strategic Priority category, the announcement highlights several common project types. Monitoring and evaluation projects (noted as Wildlife Restoration only) focus on tools, trainings, technologies, and measurement systems that help practitioners document outcomes, such as whether R3 efforts actually lead to initiation or increased avidity in hunting or target shooting, and that enable regional or national comparison using standardized indicators and dashboards. Marketing projects center on strategic marketing tools and campaigns with clear, measurable R3 outcomes, including market research, marketing toolkits, regional or national campaigns, and tactics that build social support and connect potential participants to opportunities. Mentoring projects focus on understanding what makes mentoring programs successful, what motivates mentors and mentees, and how to scale and coordinate mentoring and instructional efforts, including systems to better match mentors/instructors with prospective participants. Engaging new audiences projects seek to better define and reach new or underserved audiences and build targeted pathways and tools, with explicit encouragement for proposals focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Finally, R3 capacity and infrastructure projects aim to strengthen the overall R3 community by improving coordination, communication, planning, and partner collaboration across agencies, NGOs, industry, and regional associations, with an emphasis on measurable outcomes.
Eligibility and benefit requirements are an important part of this opportunity. Eligible applicants are tied closely to fish and wildlife governance and public-serving institutions: state governments (specifically the agencies with lead responsibility for fish and wildlife resources across the 50 states, the District of Columbia for Sport Fish Restoration only, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. territories including American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), groups of such states/agencies, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for certain purposes such as carrying out the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. The funding listing also includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits) as eligible applicant types, reflecting that multistate work often depends on universities and partner organizations. However, projects must meet a strong multistate benefit threshold: they must benefit at least 26 states, or a majority of states within a Service region, or a regional association of state fish and wildlife departments. In addition, any nongovernmental organization applying must provide a certification that grant funds will not be used, in whole or in part, for activities that promote or encourage opposition to regulated hunting or trapping, recreational shooting activities, or the regulated taking of fish.
Administratively, this opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with CFDA number 15.628. The posted award ceiling is $1,000,000. The specific announcement referenced is Funding Opportunity Number F22AS00011, created March 19, 2021, with an original closing date of July 24, 2021. The overall takeaway is that MSCG is meant to fund high-impact, multistate projects that fit AFWA’s annually selected priorities, with the Traditional track supporting broad conservation and management work and the R3 track tightly focused on scaling and improving national hunting and target shooting recruitment efforts through evidence-based tools, outreach, mentoring, inclusion strategies, and shared capacity.Apply for F22AS00011
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Multistate Conservation Grant (MSCG) Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.628.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-03-19.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-07-24. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Multistate Conservation Grant (MSCG) Program FAQs
1) What is the Multistate Conservation Grant (MSCG) Program?
The Multistate Conservation Grant (MSCG) Program is a competitive grant opportunity run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the Service) in close partnership with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA). It funds projects that address conservation and participation challenges that are regional or national in scope, meaning they go beyond what a single state fish and wildlife agency could reasonably address alone.
2) Who runs MSCG and what does each organization do?
The Service administers the grants and manages the awards. AFWA helps coordinate priorities and review by providing the Service with a ranked list of high-priority projects. Applications are shared with the AFWA National Grants Committee (NGC), which reviews and ranks eligible proposals to inform final selection.
3) What are the two MSCG funding tracks?
MSCG is structured around two closely related tracks that operate in much the same way:
- The Traditional Multistate Conservation Grant Program (T-MSCGP)
- The Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation Multistate Conservation Grant Program (R3-MSCGP)
4) What is the main difference between the Traditional (T-MSCGP) and R3 (R3-MSCGP) tracks?
The difference is primarily what the funds can be used for:
- Traditional (T-MSCGP): Supports a broad range of sport fish and wildlife management purposes consistent with the enabling legislation.
- R3 (R3-MSCGP): Is narrower and may only be used to design or implement hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment initiatives that advance a national hunting and shooting sports recruitment program, including communication and outreach that directly supports those recruitment goals.
5) What types of projects can be funded under the Traditional MSCG track?
Examples specifically called out for Traditional MSCG include research, boating access development, hunter safety and education, aquatic education, fish and wildlife habitat improvements, and similar efforts tied to fisheries and wildlife conservation and management.
6) What types of projects can be funded under the R3 MSCG track?
R3 MSCG funds may only support hunter recruitment and recreational shooter recruitment initiatives that advance a national hunting and shooting sports recruitment program. This includes communication and outreach that directly supports those recruitment goals.
7) How do AFWA Strategic Priorities affect whether a project can be funded?
Proposals must align with AFWA Strategic Priorities selected annually. These priorities function as the program roadmap and reflect what state fish and wildlife agencies consider the most pressing multistate conservation needs (Traditional) or the most important national participation needs (R3). A proposal cannot simply be a worthwhile project in general; it must clearly fit within one or more of the currently selected priority areas and show multistate relevance.
8) Who reviews and ranks MSCG proposals?
Applications are shared with the AFWA National Grants Committee (NGC), which reviews and ranks eligible proposals. AFWA then provides the Service with a ranked list of high-priority projects to inform the final selection process.
9) Where can applicants find information on selected projects and past awards?
Projects that are selected and funded are published each year in the Federal Register. Past award lists are also available through AFWA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
10) What is the required multistate benefit threshold for MSCG projects?
Projects must meet a strong multistate benefit requirement. They must benefit at least 26 states, or benefit a majority of states within a Service region, or benefit a regional association of state fish and wildlife departments.
11) Who is eligible to apply for MSCG funding?
The eligible applicant types described include:
- State governments (specifically agencies with lead responsibility for fish and wildlife resources across the 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. territories including American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands)
- The District of Columbia (for Sport Fish Restoration only)
- Groups of eligible states/agencies
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (for certain purposes such as carrying out the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation)
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Nonprofit organizations, including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits
12) Are nonprofits allowed to apply, and are there special conditions for them?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits) are listed as eligible applicants. However, any nongovernmental organization applying must provide a certification that grant funds will not be used, in whole or in part, for activities that promote or encourage opposition to regulated hunting or trapping, recreational shooting activities, or the regulated taking of fish.
13) What are examples of FY 2022 AFWA Strategic Priority areas for the Traditional track?
For FY 2022, AFWA Strategic Priorities for MSCG were organized into several major buckets, including:
- Conservation and Science: large landscape systems and species work, climate-related efforts, wildlife disease (including One Health connections to human health), data initiatives, human dimensions and social science, and invasive species
- Relevancy, Inclusion, and Participation: broader public engagement in conservation, communications that advance regional or national conservation efforts, and implementing or expanding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts internally and externally
- Coordination and Capacity Building: leadership development, conservation education, coordination of international/national/regional conservation policies and efforts, and integration of law enforcement
- Trust Fund Stewardship: research supporting conservation efforts, education and promotion of the North American Model of Conservation (referred to as “legal strategy” in the text), and conservation law education
- AFWA-specific priorities: management assistance teams, MSCG program management, CITES and international conservation programs affecting state agencies, and national-scale coordination
14) What kinds of R3 priority project types are highlighted?
Within the R3-focused Strategic Priority category, common project types highlighted include:
- Monitoring and evaluation (Wildlife Restoration only): tools, trainings, technologies, and measurement systems to document outcomes (such as initiation or increased avidity) and enable regional or national comparison using standardized indicators and dashboards
- Marketing: strategic marketing tools and campaigns with clear, measurable R3 outcomes, including market research, toolkits, regional or national campaigns, and tactics that build social support and connect potential participants to opportunities
- Mentoring: understanding drivers of mentoring success, mentor/mentee motivations, and systems to scale and better match mentors/instructors with prospective participants
- Engaging new audiences: defining and reaching new or underserved audiences and building targeted pathways and tools, with explicit encouragement for DEI-focused initiatives
- R3 capacity and infrastructure: strengthening coordination, communication, planning, and partner collaboration across agencies, NGOs, industry, and regional associations, with an emphasis on measurable outcomes
15) Can fishing participation projects be funded under the R3 MSCG track?
The information provided notes that some R3-style projects aimed at fishing participation may be considered under the broader Traditional program using Sport Fish Restoration funding, depending on availability. The R3 MSCG track itself is described as focused on hunting and shooting sports recruitment.
16) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) listed for this opportunity?
The posted award ceiling is $1,000,000.
17) What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number listed is 15.628.
18) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for the announcement described?
The referenced Funding Opportunity Number is F22AS00011.
19) When was the referenced announcement created and what was its original closing date?
The referenced announcement was created March 19, 2021, and had an original closing date of July 24, 2021.
20) How does MSCG ensure funded projects reflect national or regional needs rather than single-state interests?
MSCG is designed around multistate benefit requirements (at least 26 states, or a majority of states within a Service region, or a regional association benefit) and requires alignment with AFWA Strategic Priorities selected annually. Eligible proposals are reviewed and ranked through AFWA’s NGC process, helping ensure funded projects address shared priorities across agencies.
21) What is the role of the Federal Register in MSCG?
Each year, projects that are selected and funded are published in the Federal Register.
22) What is meant by “One Health” in the listed priority areas?
Within the Conservation and Science priorities, wildlife disease efforts are described as including “One Health” connections to human health.
23) What does the announcement say about the origin or policy driver for the R3 category?
The R3 category was developed in response to the Pittman-Robertson Modernization Act and is described as including up to an additional $5 million for R3 projects focused specifically on hunting and shooting sports.
24) Is MSCG a formula grant or a discretionary/competitive grant?
This opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is described as a competitive grant opportunity.
25) What is the overall purpose of MSCG based on the description provided?
The overall purpose is to fund high-impact, multistate projects that fit AFWA’s annually selected priorities, with the Traditional track supporting broad conservation and management work and the R3 track focused on scaling and improving national hunting and target shooting recruitment efforts through evidence-based tools, outreach, mentoring, inclusion strategies, and shared capacity.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Natural Resources
Next opportunity: White-Nose Syndrome Grants to States and Tribes.
Previous opportunity: Democracy Commission Small Grants Program
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for F22AS00011
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (F22AS00011) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Idaho Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Apply for L21AS00391 Funding Number: L21AS00391 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Idaho Invasive and Noxious Management Apply for L21AS00392 Funding Number: L21AS00392 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| NAWCA 2022 Mexico Standard Grant Apply for F22AS00008 Funding Number: F22AS00008 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Utah Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands Apply for L21AS00330 Funding Number: L21AS00330 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas Fuels Management and Community Fire Assistance Program Activities Apply for L21AS00385 Funding Number: L21AS00385 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management Apply for L21AS00394 Funding Number: L21AS00394 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $30,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas Forests and Woodlands Resource Management Apply for L21AS00371 Funding Number: L21AS00371 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas Recreation and Visitor Services Apply for L21AS00372 Funding Number: L21AS00372 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management California Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management Apply for L21AS00442 Funding Number: L21AS00442 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Utah Forests and Woodlands Resource Management Apply for L21AS00349 Funding Number: L21AS00349 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Utah Recreation and Visitor Services Apply for L21AS00342 Funding Number: L21AS00342 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Utah Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management Apply for L21AS00332 Funding Number: L21AS00332 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Utah Wildlife Resource Management Apply for L21AS00317 Funding Number: L21AS00317 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $80,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management Utah Threatened and Endangered Species Apply for L21AS00305 Funding Number: L21AS00305 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program, National Ground-Water Monitoring Network- 2021 Round 2 Apply for G21AS00419 Funding Number: G21AS00419 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas Invasive and Noxious Management Apply for L21AS00373 Funding Number: L21AS00373 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| White-Nose Syndrome Grants to States and Tribes. Apply for F21AS00460 Funding Number: F21AS00460 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Apply for L21AS00365 Funding Number: L21AS00365 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management California Forests and Woodlands Resource Management Apply for L21AS00457 Funding Number: L21AS00457 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management California Threatened and Endangered Species Apply for L21AS00377 Funding Number: L21AS00377 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "F22AS00011", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.